(column)
A couple weeks back, I wrote a column about my new found respect for the television show, “King of the Hill”. Today I felt I would write to you about my favorite TV show of all time which is “The Incredible Hulk”, which ran for 5 seasons from 1977 to 1982.
As a young boy, I loved this show for obvious reasons. Bill Bixby who played Dr. David Banner would turn into “The Incredible Hulk” twice every episode. Seeing this on TV was so exciting to watch for a youngster. It’s similar to when I saw Christopher Reeves playing Superman in the movie theaters and I really believed I saw Superman. On the small screen, I really believed body builder Lou Ferrigno was the Hulk. While today’s super hero movies spend 100s of millions of dollars on fancy CGI, Lou Ferrigno’s Hulk still holds up with the best of them.
But, as I grew older and watched the reruns of the show, I began to love “The Incredible Hulk” for another reason — it was extremely well written and well acted. Each episode was compelling with great guest stars.
Quite a few of these episodes, by the way, also had a sports themes like when Dr. Banner hitches a ride to Florida with a rookie baseball player who is trying out for the Big leagues. When he gets there, he becomes involved in the dark side of baseball when his friend gets mixed up with an unscrupulous sports agent. I don’t want to spoil this episode, but let’s just say no one has home run power like the Hulk!
But more seriously, I felt true sympathy for Dr. Banner each episode as he helped others in need despite his horrible secret. A lot of times, the troubles of those Banner was helping paralleled his own dilemma. He would always try not to get angry, but each time he was pushed too far and the Hulk would come out.
Dr. Banner was a truly haunted soul who had to keep traveling from one town to another to escape the trail of tabloid reporter Jack McGee.
My favorite part of the show may be the despondent closing music played while David Banner is hitchhiking on the road to make it to a new town. Despite all those people he had just helped, Dr. Banner can never rest or find any peace until he finds a cure for the Hulk.
The opening narration of the show is also great. If you don’t remember, here are the words in the opening. “Dr. David Banner—physician, scientist—searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have. Then an accidental overdose of gamma radiation alters his body chemistry. And now, when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs. The creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter.
[Banner]: "Mr. McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
The creature is wanted for a murder he didn't commit. David Banner is believed to be dead. And he must let the world think that he is dead, until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him.”
Now, who can read those words, both the young and the old, and not want to watch this show!
They don’t make them like “The Incredible Hulk” anymore!
David W. Healy is sports editor of the Delta Democrat-Times. He can be reached at dhealy@ddtonline.com.
